Travis Vol. 5 Issue 6 by Josiah Gordon

volume five – issue six – MARCH/APRIL 2011

Publisher

Writers

Sheridan Student Union Inc. sheridanstudentunion.com

Creative Director Josiah Gordon josiah.gordon1@sheridanc.on.ca

Editor-in-Chief Michael Burton michael.burton2@ sheridanc.on.ca

Editor at Large Bryan Myers myersbr@sheridanc.on.ca Thank you to everyone who played a part in making Travis happen this year, which includes you, the reader.

Designers

Sales Team

Philina Chan Tyler Doupe Josiah Gordon Mike Luciani Satesh Mistry Hermione Osmers Meng Tian Zhang

Jayme Bennett Chuck Erman Josiah Gordon

Jaclyn Arduini Michael Burton Chris D’Alessandro Tyler Doupe Jennifer Horn Matt Main Vera Abdel Malek Jenn McBride Bryan Myers Richard Paul Curtis Sindrey Jordan Twiss Riley Wignall

Taryn Gee Hermione Osmers Gabe Sapienza Meng Tian Zhang

Travis Online

Photographers

Jaii Bhamra Michael Burton Chris D’Alessandro Matt Main Sarah Munn Stephanie Martyniuk Bryan Myers Curtis Sindrey

Kevin Bryan Drew Graham Luis Mora Rodrigo Daguerre Brooke Wedlock

Printer Chris Beetham CDSS Business Group

Illustrators

Special Thanks Nina Ballares Todd Bedard Ryan Bolton Sam Bradley David Burton Scott Forbes Jennifer Horn Kathy Muldoon Pete Ryan Rick Sealock Sheridan Illustration Program Sheridan Animation Program Sheridan Visual Merchandising Program

CONTRIBUTORS

Philina Chan

Jordan Twiss

Vera Abdel Malek

Meng Tian Zhang

Designer

Writer

Designer

We’re just going to go ahead and take the opportunity to thank Philina for all her hard work this year. She’s contributed her design expertise, and helped us grow as a team. We really don’t know what we’d do without her. So thanks again Philina, for everything that you do.

This was Jordan’s first time working with us, and we’re happy to say his work was nothing short of stellar. He’s a first-year journalism student who took on our Personal Question section. We loved his sense of humour, and his ability to write clean, and concisely. Here is to you Jordan, thank you.

Vera came out to our last story meeting to pitch a few ideas, and ended up writing this issue’s exam study guide. Take note of all her study tips, she did a truly great job. We’re excited to work with Vera in the future, and so today we give her props. Thanks Vera, we hope to see you again real soon.

We really can’t thank Meng enough for all her hard work. Her illustration and design work have all been incredible. She’s a pleasure to work with, and an incredibly talented illustrator. Thank you for everything this year. We are lucky to work alongside someone like you, and we can’t thank you enough.

To contribute to travis please e-mail josiah.gordon1@sheridanc.on.ca

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Cover

contents 14

COVER WINNER

who the hell is...

LIFE ON THE OUTSIDE

by Jennifer Horn

issue SIX

FASHION EH?

by Michael Burton

The Gallery

by the Students of Sheridan

ILLUSTRATION

W. Scott Forbes DESIGN

Tyler Doupe

Scott Forbes is the talent behind this month's cover. You can see this incredible piece of work on the cover of the comic series called 27. Forbes beat out a slew of other students to take top spot in our illustration showcase. Check out the gallery and see what else the animation and illustration students of Sherida n have been up to.

by Michael Burton

Go ahead and check us out online at travismag.com. We're also i nto Tw it ter, fol low a s at w w w.t w it ter.com /t rav isma g We will follow you back, and we will find you.

by Matt Main, Jenn McBride, Bryan Myers & Curtis Sindrey

THE OFFICE INTERN:

SAFETY GUIDE Here are some Travis exclusive tips for making the most of being an intern. We got your back. by Josiah Gordon

Watch out for “Office Zombies”

Intern Tips & Tricks

They aren’t the blood-sucking, brain-eating kind. They are the life-draining kind. If you hang out with these peeps long enough, you’ll become lifeless like the rest of the office. You’ll start to work longer hours, care less about life in general, and the office lighting will do nothing for your complexion.

It’s good to have a few Band-aids on hand. Just incase you have a run-in with a sharp corner, or some fancy new envelopes. Slap a band-aid on there and you’re good to go. Now you don’t have to look ridiculous asking where the first-aid kit is on your second day.

Paper Cuts

Remember what people order on your coffee run. If you didn’t work at Kelsey’s since you were 16, write down the order.

Seriously, if you’re going be photocopying all day, you’ll get a few slices. Just be careful not to bleed on that annual report.

Coffee

Chances are you’re going to have to do a coffee run once or twice. It might just be a strategic move in an effort to climb the intern ladder. But don’t be fooled, this can get out of control pretty quick. Just because you bought those stain resistant pants from Mark’s Work Wearhouse, doesn’t mean everyone else has. Actually, chances are they didn’t. So be careful, coffee stains are bad, not as bad as blood, but still pretty bad. Don’t forget about the temperature, no one likes scalding coffee poured on them on a Monday morning.

INTERN SAFETY Guide

Nut Allergies

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Everyone and their cousin seem to have an allergy to some type of nut. Just be aware. You don’t want to bust into the office first day and kill the guy next to you. Worst first impression ever.

Perfume Free Zones Find out what company policy is, nobody wants to be ‘that guy’ sending sweet little Ruth from accounting to the hospital. Calvin Klein doesn’t appeal to everyone. Some of those new perfumes smell like pure gasoline.

The Commute Almost everyone has to commute, maybe not the office zombies.

by Josiah Gordon

Use common sense. If you don’t know what this is, go read about it at Chapters. There’s probably 300 different books on it. Regardless of the task assigned, knock it out of the park. You’ll stick out and be noticed. Keep working like you were born for this. Ask questions, not annoying ones, and not the same ones over and over again. Yes you’re learning a new skill, or a way of doing things. But if you’re asking the same thing for the third time, you should be writing the answer down. Promote a positive work environment, even if that’s not the environment you’ve been hired into. Who cares if office zombies are pissed at your jovial presence? You’re not staying forever, so learn how to make the most of it. If you do end up staying, you’ve invested in your future work environment. Lastly, and possibly most important, no one has the right to a paycheck. Including you. So if a company is going to deem you worthy or deserving of pay, it’s going to be, because you showed

ONGOING STORY

by Jenn McBride

EDITOR’S RANT I yell and throw things

Follow along on twitter at twitter.com/travismag

And just like that, we’re done. Well just for the year. You didn’t think you could get rid of us that easy, did you? This year has been doozy, a life experience of epic proportions. Not just for myself, but for everyone at the magazine. We’ve learned a lot as a team. We really discovered how much time and effort it takes to publish a magazine that Sheridan can be truly proud of. It meant late nights, energy drinks, bold criticism, and extreme attention to detail. It’s been a ride. When I first started editing this magazine it felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. There were so many people to work with, and so many standards to uphold. Travis already had a reputation for stellar work. I had to make sure that the writing was just as good as any other publication in Canada. That was back in October, and I’ve grown so much since then. I really thought I was up against the world, but it’s the people who work behind the scenes who have my back. I’m talking about the designers, illustrators, photographers, and journalists who have helped me along the way. Even my former teachers and administration staff, I wouldn’t be able to write an editor’s letter if it weren’t for all of you. So I thank you, again and again. I thank every single person this magazine has touched in some way. Thanks to the designers who want to throw a keyboard at me, and thanks to the writers who are too shy to approach me. Thanks to everyone at the Student Union, and thanks to every student who has ever read an issue of Travis. We’re now coming to an end of the school year. For some it means you’re just another step further into your college education, and for others it means new beginnings. Some of you will be sent off into the professional world, scared, cold, and lonely. But you’re prepared right? You’re ready for this. You are ready to move on and grow up. It’s scary, but you’ve been given the right tools, and you’re ready to make the most of your college education. So take a deep breathe, plug your nose and dive in. I promise there is more fun to be had, and a whole world of opportunities for the taking. As for the rest of you, it’s been a lot of fun. I can’t wait to meet the new crop of Sheridan students, and work alongside familiar faces next year. So long, goodbye, farewell, adieu. I’ll see you again soon Sheridan.

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sound check

MUSIC REVIEWS

by Michael Burton, Tyler Doupe, Matt Main & Curtis Sindrey

Protest the Hero Scurrilous Metal Protest the Hero aims for a more progressive sound with their new album Scurrilous. This album is set to impress the masses with their brand of aggresive metal. Aside from the studio clips found on the band’s MySpace page, the album has been on the down low. Could this mean it will blow us away, or are they afraid of their fan’s reactions to a different sound? Either way, expect technical, fast-paced metal coupled with lyrical puzzles and angelic vocals. If you like it, you’ll like it a lot.

Dropkick Murphys Going Out in Style Punk As always, the Dropkick Murphys return with the same old sound of Celtic punk that never gets old. The guys did something different this time around. Expect a concept album based on their personal experiences and family folklore. They form the story of a fictional character named Cornelius Larkin. The songs will be in first person about the Irish immigrant and his journeys. When you have songs called Sunday Hardcore Matinee, and an appearance from Bruce Springsteen, there’s no reason not to get excited. Pick it up this March.

The Strokes Angles Rock After touring in support of First Impressions of Earth, The Strokes went on an indefinite hiatus in 2007. They reunited two years later to record their fourth album Angles. The 10-song LP claims to return to the ferocity of their first two albums, without sacrificing the lyrical depth they are known for. The band plans to briefly tour in support of the album, stopping at Coachella in April and Japan’s Summer Sonic Festival in August. Get a hold of this album in March, and if you want to see The Strokes live, you’ll need to get in a car and start driving. No Toronto tour dates have been announced for the summer.

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Be the first to ask for any CD at the Student Centre or FUSE and it’s yours for free!

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Go Radio Lucky Street Pop Punk After two EPs and numerous tours with bands such as A Day To Remember and Emarosa, Go Radio is releasing their first full-length album Lucky Street. Since the band signed to Fearless Records in the middle of last year, they’ve been given the chance to work with Tim O’Heir, who’s worked with bands like Say Anything and The Starting Line. It’s nothing too different than their previous releases, but the album is an enjoyable listen after a long day. Fans of the band should definitely go out and pick up this album right now. What are you waiting for?

J. Mascis Several Shades of Why Alternative J Mascis, lead singer of the alternative rock band Dinosaur Jr., will release his debut solo album Several Shades of Why. This solo album has a strong acoustic delicacy that isn’t displayed in the work of Dinosaur Jr.. Several collaborators are featured on this release including Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene, Ben Bridwell of Band of Horses and Matt Valentine of The Golden Road. The album will be released in the midst of SXSW chaos. But if you can’t wrangle a ticket to that Texas event, you’ll have to catch him in the summer.

July The Best Nights EP Pop Punk The debut EP from Brampton pop-punk band July is nothing short of incredible. I could use a thousand words to describe how great this EP is, but pick it up yourself. It’s catchy, engineered incredibly well, and the lyrics will stick in your head for months on end. This is something truly special from a band singing about heartbreak, girls, and dropping out of high school. You’d be a fool if you didn’t get your hands on this. This is a gem within the local music scene.

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Jazmine Sullivan Love Me Back R&B Most contemporary R&B albums lack a sense of experimentation. So much so, that Jazmine Sullivan was afraid her label would drop her after her eclectic 2008 album Fearless. She’s recorded a new album just as exciting as its predecessor. In Love Me Back Jazmine Sullivan effortlessly switches between the sounds of classic soul, piano ballads, and cooking synthetic funk. The real stunner though is “Redemption.” On this effort Sullivan lays down two stone serious, first person raps from two characters in desperate need, broken up by a gospel chorus that is their only hint of salvation. A powerful voice backed with powerful concepts.

The Rural Alberta Advantage Departing Rock When The Rural Alberta Advantage recorded their debut album Hometowns in 2008, they were stuck in obscurity. This anonymity didn’t last very long. The Toronto-based band’s songs about living in rural Alberta have earned them a loyal following. Fast-forward to 2011, and the band are preparing to release their sophomore album, Departing in March. Like Hometowns, the new LP was recorded at Toronto’s Boombox Sound with producer Roger Leavens. The band began recording last summer and wrapped up by late October. Check them out, and their new album at SXSW and Coachella. Jesse Malin & The St. Marks Social Love it to Life Rock Jesse Malin has been around the block. In the ‘80s he fronted New York hardcore band Heart Attack, and spent the ‘90s leading glam punks D Generation. It’s surprising that Malin has spent his solo career as a rock songwriter in the tradition of Bruce Springsteen and Lou Reed. Luckily his solo albums have been strong, and Love It To Life is the best of them. Malin cut this record to the bone, and leanness is the key to its success. Ten tracks and 35 minutes of tough back-alley ballads, there’s not a bad minute of music on here. Don’t download this, spend your hard earned money on it. You won’t regret it.

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My Chemical Romance Danger Days Pop Punk My Chemical Romance have changed considerably with each release, and Danger Days follows the trend with unfortunate results. What made The Black Parade truly notable was not its concept, but its existence as a great guitar rock album in the middle of a decade that lacked inspiration. The proof can be heard in the sing-along guitar solos that cut through the album’s best songs. So while MCR have retained the elaborate conceptual elements of their previous album, the theatrics have been stripped away in favour of straightforward, fast pop punk. This album is considerably more raw, but also considerably more boring.

Dance Gavin Dance Downtown Battle Mountain ll Post Hardcore This band is hilarious for many reasons. Johnny Craig is back to sing on Dance Gavin Dance’s fifth studio release. It seems like this band is trying to recreate some of the magic they once possessed prior to kicking out both of their vocalists. Now Craig is back, and belting out his throaty, yet beautiful voice over the screams of Jon Mess. The catch this time around, Craig has been struggling with some serious personal demons, and we’re worried. Does anyone want to buy a Macbook?

The 2011 Summer music festival FORECAST South by Southwest (SXSW) - Austin, Texas - March 16th - 20th

North by Northeast (NXNE) - Toronto, Ontario - June 13th - 19th

Foo Fighters, City and Colour, Talib Kweli, Cee-Lo

Teengirl Fantasy, K-OS, The Junction, The Meligrove Band

Ultra Music Festival - Miami, Florida - March 25th - 27th

Vans Warped Tour - Various Cities - June 24th - August 24th

Mr. Oizo, DeadMau5, Chemical Brothers, The Glitch Mob

Abandon All Ships, Set Your Goals, Simple Plan, Hellogoodbye

Coachella - Indio, California - April 15th - 17th

Ottawa Blues Fest - Ottawa, Ontario - July 5th - 17th

Arcade Fire, Mumford & Sons, Death From Above 1979

Cage the Elephant, Mumford & Sons, The Black Keys

StageCoach - Indio, California - April 30th - May 1st

Edgefest - Toronto, Ontario - July 9th

Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Steel Magnolia

Rise Against, A Perfect Circle, Arkells, The Reason

Sasquatch! - George, Washington - May 27th - 30th

Pitchfork Music Fest - Chicago, Illinois - July 15th - 17th

Bright Eyes, Ratatat, Sleigh Bells, MSTRKRFT

TV On The Radio, Animal Collective, Fleet Foxes

Roots Picnic - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - June 4th

Lollapalooza - Chicago, Illinois - August 5th - 7th

The Roots, Nas, Little Dragon

Lykke Li, Muse, Eminem, Crystal Castles, Anberlin, Wax

Bonnaroo - Manchester, Tennessee - June 9th - 12th Pretty Lights, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Big Boi, Girl Talk

For a complete list of all summer music festivals and bands check out http://festival-outlook.consequenceofsound.net/

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LITERARY LOVE

BOOK REVIEWS

by Riley Wignall, Sarah Munn & Curtis Sindrey

skip it

borrow it

buy it

Interested in anything you see here? Be the first to ask for any book at the Student Centre or FUSE and it’s yours for free!!

The Blue Light Project Timothy Taylor Drama / Thriller Drama unfolds as a man armed with an explosive device walks into a television studio demanding to speak with a journalist. This book comes together in one incredibly suspenseful story that will touch readers on a very personal level. Taylor’s book is one of hope, beauty, attraction and faith. Follow along as the author illustrates how chaos and crisis can bring even the most unlikely of people together. This is a serious book, for serious readers. Pick this one up today.

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne Grant Morrison Science Fiction Comic books they still exist? Well this is considered more of a graphic novel than a comic. It’s dark, beautifully illustrated, and another amazing story within the Batman series. The always incredible Grant Morrison ends his masterpiece with this sixth installment of the series. It picks up with the return of Bruce Wayne to Gotham City after he is sent back in time by the evil Darkseid. It’s illustrated by the likes of Chris Sprouse, Frazer Irving and Yannick Paquette. This is a must-have for any true Batman fan, and you’d be foolish to skip out on this one. Go out and buy it.

Three Stages of Amazement Carol Edgarian Adult Fiction The fall from grace can be a big drop. The fate of one family shifts when recession and illness change their everyday lives. This is the story of a family’s transition from comfort, to instability. Charlie Pepper and his wife Lena run into financial difficulties and must decide if they want to borrow from Lena’s uncle. The catch, that same uncle was behind her father’s failed marriage, and maybe even his death. This tale guides readers through an emotional whirlwind with the characters that Edgarian does such a great job of creating.

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TEASERS

MOVIE REVIEWS

skip it

watch it

watch it again

by Jordan Twiss

Rango Johnny Depp, Abigail Breslin Action / Adventure / Comedy Move over Wyatt Earp. There’s a new city slicker on the scene, and his name is Rango. Gore Verbinski and Johnny Depp reunite to tell the story of a chameleon who leaves behind his life as a household pet, to fulfill his sense of adventure. His journey leads him to a desolate Western city where lawless bandits run the show. After Rango kills a hawk by accident, he’s anointed as the town’s new saviour. Reluctantly, the comically inept Rango dons the sheriff’s badge to fight crime. Sounds fun? Well your right, move over Disney, because things are about to get serious.

Red Riding Hood Amanda Seyfried, Gary Oldman Drama / Thriller This version of the fairytale classic isn’t the one your mother told you. That’s because the original story wasn’t a cheap attempt to capitalize on werewolf hysteria. Twilight is to blame for this nonsense, but this story rolls horror and romance into one big pot. It tells the story of Valerie, a woman in a small village who is torn between her true love, and the man her family wants her to marry. Unfortunately, one of the men in her life has a big, hairy, fanged secret. Hilarity is likely to ensue, I’d keep your eyes on this one.

Paul Seth Rogan, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost Comedy / Science Fiction Area 51 has long been the subject of curiosity for conspiracy theorists and those crazies who live in their mother’s basements. But now it’s set to become the subject of comedy. In this film from Superbad director Greg Mottola, two British comic book nerds set out on a road trip across America. They get more than they bargained for when they meet an alien named Paul who escaped from Area 51. Suddenly they become the targets of a nationwide manhunt. Given the cast, this movie has the potential to be a comedy classic. Let’s just hope it can prove there is, in fact, intelligent life out there. Sucker Punch Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens Fantasy / Science Fiction Director Zack Snyder looks to add to his resume of epic action films this March with the release of Sucker Punch. Snyder has described the movie as Alice in Wonderland with machine guns, dragons, B-52 bombers, and brothels. In short, it’s basically every guy’s dream come true on the silver screen. The film takes place in an insane asylum, and follows Baby Doll (Emily Browning) and her friends. Together they attempt to escape the bleak reality of life in an asylum, and dive into a world of fantasy and adventure. That crazy world of fantasy, well it may or may not hold the key to their freedom.

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WASTE TIME

VIDEO GAME REVIEWS

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by Chris D’Alessandro

Dragon Age ll Adventure / Fantasy Fans of the Dragon Age series might think that it’s too soon for a successor to Dragon Age: Origins. Fear not, EA and Bioware have delivered nothing less than a fully loaded sequel. Dragon Age II comes packed with new stories and a beautiful new art design. An updated combat system smoothes out the bloody action, all while maintaining a really great strategy element. If you’re a fan of fantasy or role-playing games, prepare to log some serious time with Dragon Age II.

Crysis 2 Action / Shooter There are some good reasons to pick up Crysis 2 for your Xbox 360 and PS3. Just as in the first game, you’ll be harnessing the super-human abilities of the Nanosuit and a variety of other weapons to fight off an alien invasion. Unlike the first title, this time you’ll be heading to the urban jungle of New York. So what’s the coolest thing about Crysis 2 ? PS3 owners will be able to enjoy it all in 3D. Now that is badass.

Shift 2: Unleashed Extreme Racing Doing away with the Need for Speed prefix, Shift 2 builds on the world of a true-to-life racer. You’ll find improved graphics and a new gaming engine at the heart of this game. The sheer speed and intensity isn’t like what you’ll get from anything else in this genre. Grip the steering wheel and hold on while your car shakes violently. Watch as the outside world becomes a blur. Expect an improved drift mode, as well as the ability to race at night. Don’t forget to enjoy this game’s impressive list of cars that will satisfy anyone who wants to get their hands dirty, really dirty.

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TECH’D OUT

GADGET REVIEWS

by Michael Burton

iPad 2 Starts at $499 Well now you can just go ahead and throw out your old iPad. Consider them vintage, because the iPad 2 is really that amazing. It’s dual-core A5 chip makes this iPad twice as fast as it’s predecessor for all your movie watching and gaming needs. It features two cameras for Apple’s signature FaceTime, and the ability to record HD video. It’s lighter, thinner, and has ten hours of battery life. It’s the iPad on steroids. You’ll have trouble putting it down, except this little guy won’t come cheap. Take out a loan to buy the most beautiful tablet on the market.

The New Macbook Pro Starts at $1199 Apple should be calling the newest MacBook Pro a super computer. The 15" and 17" MacBook Pro models include something called quad-core power. The 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor, with Turbo Boost can go as fast as 3.4GHz. That makes this MacBook one of the fastest laptops available. It includes MD Radeon graphics processors as well as a new pipeline called Thunderbolt. This will allow users to transfers data at 10 gigabytes per second, and edit HD video in real-time. Apple has done it again, and for $1199 you can do pretty much anything with this computer. It costs about as much as a semester of college, but is still very, very tempting.

APPS YOU NEED TO HAVE Fruit Ninja $0.99

Plants vs. Zombies $2.99

WhatsApp Messenger $0.99

Tap DJ $1.99

ScanLife FREE

Groupon FREE

Instagram FREE

Angry Birds $0.99

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15 Minutes of (student) Fame SCOTT FORBES By Jennifer Horn

Scott Forbes is the man behind our beautiful cover, and the winner of our illustration showcase. He walks away with $200, bragging rights, and a whole lot of thumbs up from everyone at Travis. So the impressive artwork splashed across this month’s issue of Travis caught your attention? Well of course it did. What would the point of hypnotic orange and blue concentric circles be if it didn’t demand your attention? Hell, that’s why we chose it. Out of all the images sent to us for our illustration issue, we strongly believe that this is the one most likely to make the magazine shelves pop, and have you reaching for a copy. Thanks to Scott Forbes and his mesmerizing illustration, we have successfully managed to lure you in. Now, not only is this image printed on a bucket load of Travis magazines, but it also makes up the inaugural cover of a comic book series entitled 27. Writer Charles Soule found Forbes on a message board a few years back. The young artist posted a couple of his pieces on the forum, hoping they would catch the eye of a potential employer. Fortunately for both the writer and artist, their paths crossed and they have been in contact ever since. Forbes illustrated a previous comic book cover for Soule but because of conflicting ideas, the piece was scrapped. The two stayed in contact and in the summer of 2009, they came together to work on the series 27. The cover was recently ranked 25th on the “Top 100 Comic Book Covers” of

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2010 by IGN, and has helped Forbes gain tremendous recognition in the industry. The 21-year-old artist was born in a small town in Nova Scotia and claims that his mother is the source of his creativity. His older brother is an actor and his father is a businessman. Forbes enjoys hiding his signature in obscure places within his artwork. He also has an identical twin who shares his love for animation and all things visually creative. The brothers both attend Sheridan College, but are completing different years in the program. Forbes was a little surprised when the college accepted him before his brother, Benjamin. “I know I’m not the strongest animator,” said Forbes. “I honestly thought he would get in before me because his work is a lot more cartoony than mine. You would never expect me to be in animation. My style of work is a lot more realistic and grounded.” He believes that his work is more representative of an illustrator and filmmaker than an animator. Forbes admires the ability of an animator to create something from nothing. His goal is to always produce a piece that will tell a story. “I think it’s important about delivering a message,” said Forbes. “There are all these technicalities to be learned, but for the most part you want to come out knowing how to be a good storyteller. You can go

to any art school and learn how to draw a background, perspective, or to paint. It’s more about how you take those aspects and merge them into a film, a piece, or animation.” Forbes prefers not to compare himself to other artists. But he’ll confess to wanting to follow in the direction of Austrian painter Gustav Klimt, who is most famous for his work called The Kiss. He may share some elements of Klimt’s technique, but he knows that he is still young and has a lot to learn about his individual style.

“It was stiff and lifeless, and not even a good lifeless. Now he looks drained but there is someone there. The other one wasn’t even real looking.” To understand the meaning of the image, you have to understand some of the themes behind the comic book. The series follows the life of a 27-year-old musician and how he must battle the forces of the world that are working to kill him before his next birthday. The book is homage to musicians who died at 27, including Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, and Jimi Hendrix.

I am trying to find my own look I draw whatever comes to mind “I am trying to find my own look. Subconsciously I am influenced by other styles as they trickle in, but I try not to let too much in,” said Forbes. “I draw whatever comes to mind and I try not to be too influenced by others. I don’t want to purposely look at their stuff and want to be them.” Forbes admits to not being able to think outside of the box. He prefers to create realistic and proportional images with clean, ornate, and open lines. His images stand out like a sore thumb when placed next to those of his friends. Everything sits perfectly and each has a life-like feel. His style is far from a typical “cartoon”. His work seems inspired by European artists who take a more realistic approach. This is what made the art behind 27 so difficult for Forbes. His style is clean and the writer wanted something a little more rough and edgy to complement the subject matter of the book. He produced a cover, sent it off, went to bed and woke up the next morning really unhappy with the piece. He felt that the face was too dull looking and that it lacked life. He tweaked and continued to chip away at it until it felt right. “That face,” he said while sighing and thinking of his struggles with the piece.

“A musician’s inspiration seems to come from the troubles in their life and so they often use drugs or alcohol to self medicate,” said Forbes. “The cover itself shows that the musician is withered away. It speaks of the music industry and the people who died of drug overdose and suicide.” If you look carefully at the artwork, the outer orange circle reveals a black bandage, which covers the subject’s left hand. It indicates who the musician once was, and the broken man he is today. Forbes plans to further work with Soule on the comic series and produce more tributes to those who are a part of the “27 club”. He’ll also be attending the Wizard World Comic Con in Toronto. Forbes believes networking is essential for starting a career in animation. He encourages everyone to get their images out there and expose themselves to the people who are looking for artists. Think about it. If Forbes hadn’t posted his work on a message board, he wouldn’t have created the artwork for an entire comic series. He wouldn’t have been recognized by IGN for his work, and he wouldn’t have his piece on the cover of Travis today. It all just goes to show what a little luck and selfpromotion can do for your career.

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Our Home & Native Land We gave the Visual Merchandising program here at Sheridan the chance to inject their sense of Canadian style into this month’s issue. Wouldn’t you know, there’s some hidden talent at Sheridan, eh? by Michael Burton photography by Luis Mora & Rodrigo Daguerre

“You know Chuck Bass? Yeah, you’re Chuck Bass. Be Chuck Bass,” Nina Ballares said to the young male model. She’s a second-year Visual Merchandising student at Sheridan, and she’s leading this fashion shoot alongside Travis photographer Luis Mora. “I love this program,” she said. “People assume that it’s mainly retail, but there are so many aspects of visual merchandising that people don’t realize. I thrive on this stress. When you really love what you do, you really care.” This shoot has everything to do with Canada. It’s intended to be playful, rustic, and focus on “Our Home and Native Land.” Ballares, with the help of fellow students and teachers, have stylized this exclusive Travis photo shoot. This is just a small taste of what these students have to offer. You can see what they’re really capable of at their year-end show on April 20. “We take a really different approach compared to the other colleges that offer visual merchandising,” said Colin Harris, one of the teachers within the Visual Merchandising program.

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“The industry has changed so much and our students need so many skills to be hired in different areas. We’ve really brought together a faculty that has experience in all areas. We give a really well-rounded look at what the industry has to offer.” Harris mentioned that this shoot in particular is exactly what students can expect when they are let loose in the industry. He teaches students about special event planning, stylizing, set design, and fashion techniques. “We run our program in second year like they are in the industry,” he said. “We put out the call to students who wanted to get a real hands on experience with this shoot. There is a lot of thought behind this.” With the creative direction from Harris, students had to put together every aspect of this shoot. That included hiring a photographer, finding the studio, choosing models, creating a shot list, and of course picking the perfect clothes. “This is exactly what’s going to be happening in the industry,” Harris said.

“We wanted to make the magazine look great, and make our program look fantastic. It’s awesome that we were able to give Travis something incredible.” Nina Ballares encourages anyone who might be considering visual merchandising as a career to take the leap and apply. They won’t be disappointed with where this program will take them. “There’s styling,

We’re just not window and retail, we don’t just put clothes on a mannequin home staging, residential, commercial, fashion, there’s even food styling. If you have an interest in fashion, I think it’s the perfect program. There are so many opportunities, and that’s why I believe that this program is so great,” Ballares said. “People need to know that’s this is what were all about. We’re just not window and retail, we don’t just put clothes on a mannequin. There’s a lot more work to it than that. To see what the visual merchandising program is up to, you need check out the year-end show on April 20 at the Edward Day Gallery in Toronto. It’s a free event, and a great opportunity to see exactly where Sheridan College can take you.

(Previous page) On female: Sweater, American Eagle. Shirt, Old Navy. Shorts, Old Navy. Boots, Steve Madden. On male: Pants, American Apparel. Shirt, American Eagle. Suspenders, H&M. Hat, Stylist’s Own. Cuffs, H&M. Shoes, Aldo. Glasses, Stylist’s own (Left page, top) On male: Shirt, American Apparel. Jacket, American Eagle. Tie, Stylist’s Own. On female: Hat, Hot Topic. Bracelet, H&M. Jacket, Vintage. Tank, Old Navy. (Left page, bottom) On male: Shirt, Club Monaco. Cardigan, American Apparel. Bow tie, Stylist’s Own. Jeans, Levi’s. Shoes, Town Shoes. On female: Necklace, H&M. Blouse, The Gap. Skirt, The Gap. Nylons, Wal-Mart. Shoes, The Gap. Bracelets, Club Monaco. (Opposite page) On male: Jacket, American Eagle. Jeans, Levi’s. Necklace, Aldo Accessories. Watch, Stylist’s Own. On Stephanie: Faux Fur Vest, Old Navy. Tank, Old Navy. Shorts, American Eagle. Bracelets, H&M, Forever 21. Necklace, Forever 21. Art Director: Colin Harris. Production Manager: Nina Ballares. Creative Directors: Heather Shaw & Arpan Singh. Female Stylists: Abbas Rizvi & Carla Criminisi. Male Stylists: Heidi Ondrusek & Erin Young. Hair: Misty Charette. Make up: Sara Blake.

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GRADUATE SHOWS There’s a whole bunch of exciting end of year shows for the various programs at Sheridan. If your interested in a program, we suggest you take a look at what the students of Sheridan have been up to. You might learn something new, or find the passion in your life you’ve always been looking for. Here are the details on just a few. “The Shape of Things” Ceramics and Glass Opening OCC Gallery, 990 Queen Street West, Toronto April 14, 6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.

BAA Illustration Graduate Show

Burroughes Building, 639 Queen Street West, 6th Floor, Toronto April 14, 7:00p.m. - 12:00a.m.

Bachelor of Design Graduate Show

The Fermenting Cellar, Distillery District, 55 Mill Street, Building 58, Toronto April 18, 6:30p.m. - 10:00p.m.

Brand X Squared: Visual Merchandising Graduate Show Edward Day Gallery 952 Queen Street West Toronto April 20, 7:00p.m.

“The Shape of Things” Furniture and Textiles Opening OCC Gallery, 990 Queen Street West, Toronto April 28, 6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.

EXPOSED: Applied Photography Graduate Show

Burroughes Building, 639 Queen Street West, 3rd Floor, Toronto MAY 19, 6:00p.m. - 11:00p.m.

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So life is busy, really busy. There are a million different things distracting you as a student. You’ve got loads of homework, and a million new notifications on Facebook. You’ve got to keep updated with the world around you, and focus on getting the grades that you need to be successful. It’s a tough life, but we’re sure you can handle it. You may not know it, but between classes and mid-day hangouts, you are a

part of a growing community. The teachers, staff and students here at Sheridan make up the school we live and learn in. Believe it or not, the students are the most important part of this community. March 29 will be the first day of Sheridan student elections. This is when the student body picks the leaders that will represent our community within the Student Union. You can cast your ballot at the B-wing of the Oakville campus, and the student centre of the Brampton campus. “It’s a chance for every student to be part of the big picture of the Student Union,” Mark Brotto said, the Human Resources and Services Manager at the SU. “We understand that students are busy. But I encourage all students to take two minutes to stop and vote for your student board this election. It’s two minutes to vote, and 30 seconds to share your opinion. Students have a voice, and it’s important that students not only voice their opinions, but encourage others to take part.” Elections directly affect the quality of student life at Sheridan. The leaders selected to represent the student board will be the voice of all students at Sheridan. They will act in the best interest of the student body, and be an important part of the decision making process within the Student Union. “These students are the ones who are going to hold the Student Union accountable to our members,” Brotto said. “These student leaders are going to be the ones who will help make the decisions

that affect the entire Sheridan community. The Student Union is working to improve student life in every aspect. By voting you are lending your voice, and helping us work for you, the student.” The events that come to Sheridan, the student health plan, paralegal advice, and even the food bank are all provided by the Student Union. We are constantly working towards making every aspect of student life better. We need to know what you want.

WE’RE HERE TO BRING STUDENTS TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY We need to know what direction to take. We need your voice. So go ahead and do it. Get to know some of the candidates for this year’s election. Read the signs, shake some hands and do what you have to do. We’ve got a great community, but we need your voice. We’re demanding it. This is your time to be an even more important part of Sheridan College. “Whether it’s through our social networking, our publications, or the events we hold, we’re working for the students,” Brotto said. “We’re here to bring students together, as a community.”

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Rick Sealock teaches fourthyear illustration here at Sheridan. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s known for challenging his studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; work, his wicked sense of humour, and colourful selection of Hawaiian shirts.

by Michael Burton, photograph by Kevin Bryan

A monkey, that’s all you need. Well that is according to Rick Sealock, a fourth-year illustration professor here at Sheridan. Just one monkey will do it. “If a student can draw the monkey I love, I think they’re going to be a great illustrator,” Sealock said leaning forward on the blue and grey couch. We’re sitting in the staff lounge of the Sheridan cafeteria, talking about all things related to illustration. Sealock graduated from the Alberta College of Art and Design in ’86, and has been a freelance illustrator ever since. He’s been teaching and challenging students since 2005. He’s gained a reputation for being a great personality in the classroom, and sporting an impressive lineup of Hawaiian t-shirts on a day-to-day basis. According to him, it’s not all fun and games. He’s incredibly friendly, but mentions that some of his students might consider him a little mean. “Teaching students is refreshing, we get old and stale,” he said. “In school it’s a constant challenge for the students. We challenge their work, and challenge their perceptions and ideas. You don’t get enough of that in the real world. School is refreshing, I get recharged every time I come here. “ Sealock works at home, and admits he likes that he can work with clients across North America, without stepping out of his house. Out of college he sold himself to clients, branded his work, and went to meetings dressed as a cowboy. “My work was standing out as being exotic. I used that to my advantage. When I first started out I used cow skin textures, cowboys, chickens, animals, anything Western,” Sealock said. “Everyone thought I actually lived in Mexico. I made myself look like as if I was in the American Wild West, and everyone gave me jobs.” Sealock made a name for himself as an illustrator, and focused on producing work that was unique to his style. “I tried to create a stylistic approach that really branded my visual, so you knew you were getting a Rick Sealock. Anyone around the world would know they were looking at a Rick Sealock.” “Now because I’ve been doing it for so long, I kind of pick and choose who I want to work with and what kind of images I want to do. I’m a little all over the place, because I’m allowed to be. They trust me. They know they’re going to get good work,” he said. In his classroom Sealock teaches his

students how to communicate visually. Students develop their own technical abilities to draw images that people care to look at. It’s about visual problem solving, taking dialogue and turning it into an illustration. Mike Everett, a fourth-year illustration student at Sheridan, has known Sealock for two years. He describes Sealock’s classroom as a bit of a work camp. “He piles on the work that’s for sure. He expects a lot, but the class is a positive environment,” Everett said. “He teaches discipline, and makes you do what comes naturally. He’s never really satisfied, but it’s all for the students good.” “You should be able to look at illustration and ask, ‘Why did they do that?’” Sealock said. “You need to make

people look at your images and want to come back. Then wait for you to make a new image. It is in some ways a new language that you create, but it comes secondary after you do it for years. Some students can intuitively do it, but some need to sketch, refine, and understand how composition creates dialogue. It just doesn’t happen. You build the whole thing, and when you’re done it looks like this world exists.” Sealock still freelances today for American and Canadian clients. He admits that throughout his career he’s drawn some terrible things, stuff that he claims still stinks to this day. But it’s these mistakes that better him as an illustrator. For young illustrators he suggests that they take each failure as a learning experience. “Sometimes you

do everything right and it just falls apart. Have fun with it. It’s not about you, it’s about your images, just take it.” Sealock explained that in order for an illustration student to be successful, it’s not just about technical ability. It’s about individual character and drive that will make one illustrator stand out over another. “There’s a lot of crap out there,” Sealock said. “It’s a lot easier to get your images out there, promote yourself, and meet new people. There are a hundred times more people out there trying to do the same thing. It’s a lot more complex now with the variety of people and styles.” “It can be very confusing for students starting out. If you’re going to do it no matter what, pick your direction and stick to it. Students have to produce work that shows a broader range of their skill level. Not just copying, but conceptual development with their personal development and character,” he said. “It’s a great life but you could be a writer, doctor, nurse, or even dental hygienist if you want to do something for money. A lot of people can draw and create illustrations. A lot of them are boring to look at. I don’t care how well you made it sound, if it’s boring to look at it’s still a piece of boring art,” Sealock said. “For illustration there’s already a set viewpoint out there. You take your own view on that, but there’s an existing idea and narrative you have to solve. It’s more of a challenge,” he said. “Instead of dealing with yourself, you have to deal with other people’s personalities and deadlines.” His words of wisdom come down to two things for anyone interested in illustration: thick skin, and inspiration. “Thick skin means you keep going. Find out why you want to draw pictures. Light the fire, set the torches. Be inspired for some reason, because you inspire others as you go along. Really enjoy drawing,” Sealock said. “It’s not rocket science. They teach that three doors down.”

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travis asks a personal question...

WITH

The year is coming to an end, and for many thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big deal. Sheridan ask yourself this, what are you doing with yourself? by Jordan Twiss, Chris Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alessandro, Michael Burton & Richard Paul

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“Stressing myself out as usual,” Kristen Metz said standing alongside her guide dog. “I’m already starting to feel the pinch of a full course load. Keeping track of assignments, quizzes and exams. Where each class is, and the route to get there.” I approached Metz and dropped the usual personal question business on her. She was fine with it. Actually, it sparked quite a conversation. “The dog takes directions from me and I need to know where I am if I get turned around,” she said. “So what am I doing with myself?” I nodded and waited for a response. “Constantly trying to keep track of everything bouncing around in my head, and stressing about it.” R.P. “So what are you doing with yourself?” I asked, aware that the question makes me sound like a creeper. But at least it’s a little less intrusive than “How do you get loose?” My first victim looks at me confused. “Right now, or with my life?” she replied. I attempt to explain to her exactly what I meant, but end up making her more confused. “I’m not even sure how to answer that,” she said in response. Awesome, she’s slightly discouraged, but I hit up the B-wing. What goes better with random personal questions than cupcakes for cancer? Nothing, obviously. “What are you doing with yourself?” I asked the unwitting cupcake vendor. She looks down at the pink cupcakes laid out on the table, and then looks back up at me. “Trying to make a difference,” she said. Aren’t we all, cupcake girl? Aren’t we all? J.T. While I was on break I decided to look over Burton’s email to the writers regarding all of

our assignments. I realized that I had almost overlooked my name under the personal question section. With a fast approaching deadline, I started to scramble. I went back to work and to my relief a fellow Sheridan student had arrived for her shift. “Julie,” I asked. “What are you doing with yourself?”

Something I can relate to. A spoon, a fork, with no direction. I think a lot of students can relate to this dish. J.T.

“Excuse me?” she asked, looking as though she was going to hit me. “What are you doing with yourself?” I asked again more cautiously. “I’m going to be an esthetician,” she said giving me a look of death. “Is there something wrong with that?” she asked. “No, not at all,” I replied. I was too afraid to ask her what an esthetician was. C.D.

I was on my way out of class and I remembered that I still needed another interviewee for the personal question. I decided to ask someone early in the morning, right when they woke up. Hopefully I’d catch them off guard. “What are you doing with yourself?” I asked a small group of people. “What do you mean? Like after class?” they asked. “Not necessarily,” I said. “So, like, after college? I don’t understand.” They were clearly confused, but I thought it was funny. “It can be anything with your life,” I replied. “Well I don’t know. What are you doing with yourself?” they asked, turning the tables on a simple task. “Well, I’m not quite sure.” “Well how do you expect people to answer a question that you yourself can’t even answer?” Man, I was clearly not ready for this kind of deep inward reflection. C.D.

I take a seat beside her on the bus for the millionth time. We’ve talked countless times before, but never exchanged names. “What are you doing with yourself?” I ask her. She looks at me slightly confused, so I explain the concept to her. “I want to live my life like Sex and the City,” she said to me. I honestly have no clue what that meant, but I guess it sounded pretty exciting. Later that day I’m sitting at the pristine table within the Spoon & Fork, just down the street from Sheridan. I’ve never liked Asian cuisine, but it’s her birthday. It’s also the perfect opportunity to ask about her life. “What are you doing with yourself?” I ask. She pauses. “I have no idea,” she said.

“Hey man, so what are you doing with yourself?” Rude, blunt, and just plain hilarious. I’m expecting a whole lot of awkward stares, pauses, and a little something to giggle about on this lovely afternoon. “Shit, well, I’m not sure if I’m in the right place,” he said. The guy I approached was texting on his BlackBerry, lost in the abyss of social media heaven. “Well are you lost?” I asked him. “No, I’m just not sure if this is right. Ever since I walked through the art-wing, I think I want to be an illustrator.” I pause. “Well what are you taking now?” Now he’s embarrassed. “Honestly man, I’m just here for the chicks.” M.B.

Honestly man, I’m just here for the chicks

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Believe it or not, one day you're going to have to leave college. I know, it's terrible, we know you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to leave this warm comfortable bubble. But you are here for a reason, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to learn a new skill, and prepare yourself for the professional world. Sheridan is handing you a toolbox of knowledge and skills, you just have to use them. photography by Brooke Wedlock

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Frame by Frame by Matt Main

Sam Bradley made his way through Sheridan’s animation program, and has now made a career off doing exactly what he loves. “You go to Sheridan? Taking journalism, right? What’s that like?” As I stared down at my coffee in a downtown Toronto Starbucks, I started to think that Sam Bradley just might be in the driver seat. A young lady at the cash register shouts that his coffee is ready. He stands up, grabs the cup, and sits back down with me. He watches me pull a list of questions from my bag. “Shoot,” he said. After cracking a joke about how awesome that line would’ve been for the photography issue, I started asking him about his Sheridan years. “I did one year in art fundamentals course, and then I did the crafts and design program for a year. It was cool but it wasn’t something I wanted to do for a career. Then I switched into animation.“ During his stay at Sheridan Bradley never stopped working. In his graduating year he devoted most of his time working on his first short film called The Lighthouse. “It was very stressful at times, mainly when I skipped going home for Christmas. It’s cool to have this film, but I don’t think I’d ever do it again,” he said. I learned a lot from working on my own though. Now that I’m working, it’s been more comfortable. I basically work 48-hour weeks giving me the weekends to chill out, and nights to do my own thing.” “I’m not stuck in a studio all hours of the day,” Bradley said. After giving a sigh of relief, he took a sip from his coffee and smiled. “It’s cool that I got a degree out of animation, but the four years in the animation-wing didn’t get me a job. It’s what I produced and the quality of my work. It doesn’t matter if you’re born with talent, working hard is what gets you places.” The Starbucks we’re sitting in started to fill in. As the room filled with chatter I asked him how busy an animator could get on a daily

basis. “It’s actually pretty chill. Just working in animation overall is pretty laid back. You show up and leave when you want. As long as you’re getting your work done, no one is going to give you a hard time.” Bradley landed a spot at Elliot Animation in Toronto. From there he worked his way up to becoming the supervising location designer for the popular kids cartoon Total Drama Island. Before working there, he designed and painted background locations for Saturday morning cartoons at C.O.R.E.

It’s all about who you know Digital Pictures. Aside from cartoon shows, what’s been keeping him out of trouble for the last year and a half is doing comic book work. Bradley was even asked to contribute to a book called The Anthology Project as an artist and an editor. “I’ve honestly spent more time working on that in the last year than on my day job. It’s kind of like a hobby.” We begin to transition from the average interview to talking about Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. I welcome the distraction, as I’m a bit of a fan. “I was an extra in Scott Pilgrim. I’m a huge fan of the books so I stood out in the freezing cold for eight hours in fake snow to be in it. Turns out I ended up being a blur for a quick second but I can point out which blur I am.” Putting his coffee down and

pausing, Bradley went into a deep thought. “At least I think it’s me.” What’s really gotten Bradley places is meeting new people. Most of the work he’s done was because of friends, people he knew from school, and people he’s met at studios. “It’s all about who you know. I don’t have to go out looking for jobs. Now that I know people around town, I know who I can talk to if work is coming up.” Like most college students, money is always an issue, especially for anyone in an art program. With six years of college under his belt, Bradley had his money situation figured out beforehand, giving him more time to learn and less time being broke. “I was pretty lucky about that. By having a bit of money saved, working through the summers, and a bit of help from my family, I almost made it through without any debt.” We finish drinking our coffee and got ready to head out into the cold streets of Toronto. I turn to him and ask one more question before we leave. “What’s next?” I said. He looked at me and paused before putting on his jacket. “I’m not sure where I want to end up, but maybe in a few years I could become an art director. Then a few years after that, maybe become the director of a show.” In a short while, every student will be in same spot Bradley was a few years ago. Animation or not, the outcome will generally be the same. Maybe not right away, but you’ll be where you want to be. Just knowing what you want to do for a living is a huge leap in the right direction. “I think a lot of people aren’t really sure exactly what it is they want to do. They just want to find a place to work,” Bradley said. “Just be persistent. Be aware of what it is you want to do in life, and you’ll get you far.” t

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Writing his Pants Off by Curtis Sindrey

Ryan Bolton has been busy, really busy. He’s used his experience and Sheridan education to create one hell of a career with Me to We. Let’s get to know his story. From Africa to Oakville, Ryan Bolton has worked all his life. Imagine you are working in a refugee camp in Sierra Leone after its 12-year civil war. Picture boys on the street from 9 to 16 years of age, who have killed people because they were threatened with death themselves. Ryan Bolton was in Sierra Leone in the aftermath of their civil war. He worked in a Liberian refugee camp in Ghana, West Africa where both Liberians and Sierra Leoneans lived and recovered. “I originally worked for Journalists for Human Rights back in 2008. I travelled to Ghana at a Liberian refugee camp where I found my passion to write about human rights issues,” Bolton said. After enrolling into the Honours English program at Wilfrid Laurier University, Bolton was given the opportunity to be debt-free throughout college. His grandparents contributed to his education, but that didn’t stop him from working while he was in school. “When I was born, they set aside money for my education. But I’m not a trust fund kid by any bloody means. I still worked my ass off during university by working at gas stations, skate shops, Laurier’s magazine called Blueprint, and their newspaper called The Cord Weekly. That was when I really started with journalism,” he said. Since graduating from Sheridan’s print journalism program, Bolton has been even busier. He now works for Me to We, a company that sells socially and environmentally conscious clothes, books, and music. “One day I was searching through online job listings and an editor position popped up with Me to We. After a slew of interviews, they offered me the position of book editor. It’s great because I am able to marry

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storytelling with writing about human rights issues,” he said. Working in Toronto, Bolton is a man of routine. He takes the same streetcar every morning, with the same coffee and muffin in hand. But he loves waking up to do it. “Usually I wake up late because I am by no means a morning person. I do my shower

I want to have a direct conversation with the reader business and then I don’t really eat breakfast. My girlfriend is always like ‘I’ll make you things,’ but then I stumble onto a streetcar. I don’t dread going into work anymore,” he said. Bolton also just happens to be the former editor of this very magazine. He’s worked with Travis since his first year of college as a student, and an editor. It’s certainly benefited him more than you think. Other then just beefing up his resume, companies have taken notice of his work as an editor of Travis. “I got into the industry when I first interned with Dose.ca. They gave me that internship because of my work at Travis. Even with the book editor position, they originally offered me the position because of Travis,” he said. The world of academia was bittersweet for the budding journalist. The way he wrote

changed dramatically once he arrived at Sheridan. “Studying within academia really screws up your writing style. When I was in journalism at Sheridan I was taught to be articulate and extremely clear with my writing. In academia I was always writing with high-strung, bombastic language. That’s bullshit when it comes down to writing for news. Sheridan has really improved my voice as a writer.” “I want to have a direct conversation with the reader through my writing,“ he said. For years, Bolton has been following the steady decline of the print industry. It didn’t slow him down. His studies at Sheridan and his work with Travis have made him a successful journalist today. “The internet needs print. Print needs the internet. It’s a two-way street. I think that magazines are going to outlast newspapers. There’s a culture around magazines, and they maintain loyal fan bases,” he said. Bolton feels as though he’s reached his definition of success. He set himself personal goals, and achieved them. “What I admire most about Ryan is his true passion for writing,” said Spencer West, a motivational speaker and co-worker at Me to We. “He works tirelessly on multiple projects until they are the best they can be, no matter how long it takes. That is Ryan Bolton.” According to Bolton, it’s not about what students have to do to get a job. It’s where their passion lies. “A lot of kids in journalism are going to hit a brick wall because not everyone gets their dream job. It’s about putting your ass out there. If you’re in it because you have a passion for the job, then nothing is going to stop you. Whether you’re working for the Toronto Star or a sales associate at Chapters, it’ll happen if you want it to happen,” he said. t

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Role With It by Bryan Myers

Todd Bedard is another Sheridan success story. Yes, believe it or not one day you’ll need to move on from college. But that doesn’t mean you have to leave home right away. Todd Bedard lives in his parent’s basement. There always seems to be a joke about men who still live in their parents’ basements. Honestly, it’s not that bad. Bedard is from Burlington, but we meet near his office in Etobicoke. We’re getting burgers, my choice. After some brief e-mail correspondence, he presents himself as the type of guy I can comfortably eat a burger with. He’s a professional, but in a people person sort of way. He’s not rigid, and our conversation feels more like a casual hangout than a formal interview of one of Sheridan’s successful graduates. In his first year, Bedard enrolled in the theatre program, his life-long passion. “I was serious about it,” he said. “I enjoyed being in front of people. Advertising is creative like that.” Bedard switched programs after talks and inspiration from his parents. While acting was his passion, he explained that he wanted a stable career. He’s happy where Sheridan has taken him, but acting still has its place. “I would go back to acting. Maybe in theatre groups again, for the feeling. Now at 26 the acting dream is starting to die down, but I still enjoy it.” By second-year Bedard switched into Sheridan’s advertising program. “I liked it just as much. I like finding the big idea,” said Bedard. Currently he’s the social media strategist for Square Crop Studios, the same company that introduced a new social network to students through our Student Union. He’s made an impact on Sheridan, and is currently implementing similar systems across North America. Bedard has had plenty of experience engaging students, especially at the college level. Not only is Bedard a graduate, he’s also been a key piece of the Sheridan Student

Union as the former Director of Student Life. At the time, the position involved a lot of legwork by running and promoting various events. “I loved college. Actually I always enjoyed school and made the most of it,” he said. “Getting to know people enriches your experiences, friendships, and networks that are crucial in the working world. Taking your

Leave high school where it was, Sheridan is a great place to be yourself work seriously helps a lot too.” Bedard said he paid his own way through college. “Except for $500 from my parents,” he said. Bedard managed to pay his way through school with a line of credit and by working a variety of jobs. He’s worked at The Keg, landscaped, and did VIP services at Lot 332 in Toronto. “If I wanted additional things I had to work for it. Once you start earning money you want to keep that momentum going,” he said. Today Bedard has a line of credit that isn’t entirely paid off, but managed to pay his debts down to about $500 a month.

While he was in college, his debt grew because of tuition, a new laptop and a new car. Bedard is a successful guy, and with such a rich career he’s definitely a trusty source of advice for students and recent grads. “Leave high school where it was. Sheridan is a great place to be yourself and not be judged. College is something you’re paying for and there’s a good return on your investment. If the program is not right for you, switch it.” He said that embracing one’s passion is how to get ahead in the college years. “Once you graduate, go to as many interviews as possible. You need to get comfortable with interviews, and the more experience the better. Having a big network is key.” For appropriate dress in the media world, Bedard says business casual is the norm. “You never know who you’re going to meet in the elevator,” he said. “Media firms are constantly dealing with clients and investors, and looking professional is important.” Bedard explained that even if it doesn’t seem like it, people are paying attention to the dress code. “I usually wear dress shoes but one time I wore Keds, which still looked pretty professional. Two days later there was a memo reminding us that Keds were not a part of the dress code,” Bedard laughed. Bedard admits that’s he’s happy where he is at Square Crop, and that engaging students is exactly what he wants to be doing. His Sheridan education has helped him get to where he wants to be. Now it’s about living in the real world, and using his experience in advertising to make a living, and do work that he is truly proud of. t

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Drawn To Success by Jenn McBride

Pete Ryan is a success story from Sheridan’s Illustration program. Although he claims to be rolling in debt, he’s more than comfortable with where his education has taken him. Pete Ryan was just like you, spending his OSAP loans and living in student poverty. You could say some of his priorities were a little off. Way off. Enough that he spent six months sleeping in a kitchen. Stop me if this sounds familiar, probably not the kitchen part though. After three years of financial recovery since graduating, he’s become a successful freelance illustrator. I caught up with Ryan in the middle of a quaint little coffee shop in Oakville. It was the kind of place where real business types eat soup, and order half-sandwiches. We sat at a table that was barely big enough for my laptop and his coffee mug. The table wobbled, and nearly cost Ryan his drink. This is a good start. “So,” he said picking up his dripping mug, “you want to know my story.” I nod and he cracks a smile worthy of heartthrob status. “I fail at everything all the time,” he said with a bit of sarcasm. I’m a little taken back. “Not at my work, because I work hard. But I am constantly failing at life. I failed at my marriage, I failed at pet ownership, and I even failed as a vehicle owner.” He’s embellishing a little. He’s animated, quirky, but charming and easy to talk to. But at this point I don’t know whether to give him an “It’ll be okay” speech, or just keep listening. “It’s funny though, there is nothing sad about it,” he said. “It’s incredibly important to be humble because you’re not the best at what you do. Thinking otherwise makes you an asshole.” Ryan is at a desirable point in his career. It’s taken a lot of hard work, but he’s a lighthearted guy with a lot of passion. He’s been commissioned for more than 130 illustrations, racked up an impressive global resume, and has work waiting for him right after our meeting. His illustrations have been published in places like WIRED, Reader's Digest, The Wall Street Journal, and even The New York Times. “I wouldn’t say it’s a mark

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of success or anything. Not all of those jobs were awesome,” he said. “Success is being able to feed myself and pay my bills.” Ryan isn’t living the life of a millionaire by any means. But claims he lives comfortably off his work, enough to live downtown Toronto. “A major thing I have learned is that success isn’t defined by getting work, it’s defined by having your own voice and career longevity.” To get where he is now was no

Success isn’t getting work, it’s having your own voice and career longevity easy task. Before he could afford to travel, before his work was on magazine covers, Ryan was a kid living in Walton, Ont. If you don’t know, Walton is the middle of nowhere. There wasn’t much going on. He had the childhood of three TV channels, and passed the time by drawing. “I got a lot of practice in. I mean Walton was the kind of place you had to use your imagination to have fun.” Fast-forward to his time at Sheridan where he worked his ass off. “There were a group of us that would be at school at 9 a.m., until 3 a.m. every day,” Ryan said. “I accelerated quickly, and became competitive that way. I can’t express

the importance of hard work enough. It’s not by coincidence that the people who skipped class and projects aren’t working now.” At the time it looked as if Ryan might have had a natural gift for spending money on dinners and weekends in Montreal. “I just ignored my debts and pissed away my student loans. It was awesome. I’m screwed now because of it,” he said. You really shouldn’t pick up Ryan’s spending habits, but for career advice he’s a good person to go to. “Some solid advice on getting your stuff out there is to not be a jerk,” he said smiling. “You have to think of the industry as a community. So be the neighbour that helps and contributes positively. Not the one that everybody tries to avoid.” Ryan also pushed the importance of knowing the company you’re sending your work to inside and out. “Don’t send your work to places where it isn’t applicable, otherwise it’s disrespectful to waste someone’s time. I accepted everything I was offered, you should never do that. You should be hungry for it, but not stupid. I’m able to support myself as a freelancer by working really hard, and lowering my expectations on what can be considered dinner," he said laughing. This is all just a tiny bit of advice for anyone that is graduating from Sheridan this year. No matter what you’re taking, it’s the effort you put out once you leave here that will determine your success. Sheridan will give you the tools, but you have to start building. As for Ryan, he has no clue where he’ll end up next. “I'm not much of a planner,” Ryan said regarding his future. “I'd like to sneak into the U.S. and live illegally in New York for some time. Maybe move to South America and work from a remote location. Maybe get a dog and spend all of my free time teaching him to do everyday tasks. Maybe none of these things,” he said. It’s all just one day at a time for Pete Ryan. t

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40 travismag.com Fiona Tyler

Their work is wicked, witty and wonderfully warped! They’re reckless, worried, and impatient with their world! They’re tired, hungry, and scared. Hey, I can relate. This same overload of emotions and thoughts went through my manic mind when the good folks at Travis asked if I could write a fab-dabulous 400-word opener for this gallery. Today, we’re showcasing Sheridan’s über-talented illustration students who are about to graduate. Briefly, I seriously thought about just sending them an illustration to use. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I’d be easily over the limit with 600 to spare. Easy-peasey, non? Well, non, it needs to be written in words, and not in crayon. We’re illustrators and picture-makers. We’re people who draw messages. We articulate through line, colour, images – words. A palette is something we’re unaccustomed to. Words are a challenge. But challenge is akin to illustration. Being an illustrator is an uncertain vocation with few secure signposts pointing the way to success. Yet in exchange for this uncertainty is freedom. Illustrators have cool choices. Pursuing conceptual, publishing, institutional and personal strengths will open up options. On an artistic level, illustrators have the choice of medium, stylistic technique, and ultimately, of image. On the cultural level, illustrators are expected to be the seers of contemporary culture. More cool. They are asked to pick at the many threads making up our various cultures – political, social, economic and artistic. They weave them into challenging images that are both read and responded to. Illustrators have the freedom to engage in the simultaneous act of consuming and creating. Their work asks for no less. Most cool. It is a profession that draws from, and adds to our cultures, and it has the potential to affect immense change. That is awesome cool! And finally, illustration rewards persistence, independence, and creativity. Just as these students are being honoured. Their work confronts you, and is the result of intense thought, initiative and perseverance. They might be tired, hungry, and scared, but they’re definitely ready!

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Hugh Helferty

Lyndsey Gallant

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Brigitte Reichstein

Ben Beckman

Gareth Adamson

Leonardo Delaney

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Frank Hong

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Frank Hong

Robyn Asquini

Kelsey Heinrichs

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Ryan Brock

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Kyle Brownrigg

Amy Csiki

Gabriel Sapienza

Mike Pereira

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Adam Winnik

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Jennifer Prior

Taryn Gee

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Leonardo Delaney

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Sarah Vandenbrekel

Young Lee

Kevin Prendergast

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Michael Janzen

Drew Shannon

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Vanessa Tam

Michelle Woodward

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photography by Kevin Bryan stylists Nina Ballares Talisa Bucciarelli Carla Criminisi hair Niki Flynn makeup Viseh Alaedini Alexandra Creighton

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We need your attention, because this is Sheridan Fashion 101. Are you taking notes? We have our very own sense of style here at Sheridan College. There is something about our school that brings out the best of everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s style. We have a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. We are hip, but not too hip. We just like what we like and there isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much else too it. So sit up straight, get off your laptop, and get ready for the best in Spring fashion.

v-neck H&M shirt H&M shorts H&M shoes H&M

blazer H&M shorts Levis heels r2w

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shirt H&M cords H&M boots H&M

dress Aritzia clogs r2w

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hat vintage blouse H&M

glasses H&M shirt H&M

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THE OFFICE INTERN:

SAFETY GUIDE Here are some Travis exclusive tips for making the most of being an intern. We got your back. by Josiah Gordon

Watch out for “Office Zombies”

Intern Tips & Tricks

Paper Cuts

Remember what people order on your coffee run. If you didn’t work at Kelsey’s since you were 16, write down the order.

Seriously, if you’re going to be photocopying all day, you’ll get a few slices. Just be careful not to bleed on that annual report.

Coffee Chances are you’re going to have to do a coffee run once or twice. It might just be a strategic move in an effort to climb the intern ladder. But don’t be fooled, this can get out of control pretty quick. Just because you bought those stain resistant pants from Mark’s Work Wearhouse, doesn’t mean everyone else has. Actually, chances are they didn’t. So be careful, coffee stains are bad, not as bad as blood, but still pretty bad. Don’t forget about the temperature, no one likes scalding coffee poured on them on a Monday morning.

Nut Allergies Everyone and their cousin seem to have an allergy to some type of nut. Just be aware. You don’t want to bust into the office first day and kill the guy next to you. Worst first impression ever.

The Commute Almost everyone has to commute, maybe not the office zombies. So beware of the travel time it takes, and don’t get lost on your first day. Look both ways before crossing the street, and don’t give money to the sketchy dude in the red pants. He’s pure evil.

DATE:

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JOB #:

Always be ready to meet new people, at a variety of levels in the company. Present yourself well, regardless of the industry. You’re going to stand out, you’re an intern. If you’re a fresh face on the scene, you might as well look good being there. Use common sense. If you don’t know what this is, go read about it at Chapters. There’s probably 300 different books on it. Regardless of the task assigned, knock it out of the park. You’ll stick out and be noticed. Keep working like you were born for this. Ask questions, not annoying ones, and not the same ones over and over again. Yes you’re learning a new skill, or a way of doing things. But if you’re asking the same thing for the third time, you should be writing the answer down. Promote a positive work environment, even if that’s not the environment you’ve been hired into. Who cares if office zombies are pissed at your jovial presence? You’re not staying forever, so learn how to make the most of it. If you do end up staying, you’ve invested in your future work environment. Lastly, and possibly most important, no one has the right to a paycheck. Including you. So if a company is going to deem you worthy or deserving of pay, it’s going to be, because you showed them you deserve it. Go get ‘em kid.

INITIAL:

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SUPER BANANAS!

AND THE HEIST OF THE PINK DIAMOND PART 4

by Jenn McBride and Two Creative Little Minds & illustrations by Taryn Gee and Gabriel Sapienza

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health & nutrition by Jaclyn Arduini, kinesiologist, 4th year athletic therapy

The Travis Magazine Healthy Eating Guide Eating well is all in your head, and we’ve developed a tip sheet to help you eat right in preparation for summer.

Cut the Fat Get On The Whole Grain Bandwagon Set Realistic Nutritional Goals Tell your family and friends that you’ve decided to start eating healthy. But don’t get defensive when they catch you in an old habit. They’re only trying to help. You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish with a little motivation from your friends and family.

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Check labels and make sure the first three ingredients in grain products are whole wheat, whole oat and whole barley. Avoid white when picking up grains at the grocery store. White isn’t natural, and typically means that they have taken a beautifully natural whole grain, and stripped its fibre, vitamin and mineral content.

Stick with lean meats, and stay away from greasy food. Pizza and fries are delicious, but there are so many ways to cook a satisfying meal without adding to your waistline. Try baking, broiling or grilling lean meats for dinner. Also cut fat from pork, beef, and chicken prior to cooking it. You could even try switching to skim milk to cut some excess calories from your diet. But remember, just because it says low fat, doesn’t mean it’s low in calories.

Reduce Sodium Sodium isn’t found naturally in foods. When you see sodium, it means your food has been processed. Do you really want that in your body? Food is delicious on its own. Don’t reach for the saltshaker. Use other spices instead of salt to reduce your sodium intake. TV dinners and canned soups tend to have a lot of salt, and anything over 500 mg of sodium is way more than your body needs. Using a couple of hot peppers to spice up a meal is a way better idea than a spoonful of salt.

Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Reduce Calories and Control Portions Here’s a mind trick, try using a smaller plate when eating. It’ll look like you’ve devoured a full plate, but really you’re just controlling your meal sizes. After you finish eating, wait 20 minutes before going for a second serving. You might find you are full after you’ve paced yourself. Its true, sometimes your eyes are bigger than your stomach.

With every meal make it a goal that you eat must eat at least one fruit or vegetable. You can add tomatoes and cucumbers to any sandwich, and throw in some berries and bananas to your morning cereal. Have fresh cut vegetables ready to go and add them into soups, pastas and meat dishes. The more vegetables you have stored in your fridge, the more inclined you’ll be to eat them. So go vegetable crazy, we promise they’re good for you.

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by Drew Graham by Vera Abdel Malekâ&#x20AC;&#x192; photo

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Final exams are around the corner, but don’t freak out. No matter what you’re studying, these tips can help you out. Confidence people, you got this. 1. Make a Schedule You know how much time you have. You know your strengths and weaknesses, but it’s important to be realistic. Divide the information you need to study, and plan it out. Leave yourself with at least a week before the exam. Write it down. Put it in your phone, plaster it on your forehead. Just make a schedule and make sure you can see it. Don’t forget it. 2. Pick out the Key Points You can’t know everything, but try to know a few things really well. If your professor focused on some key concepts, chances are they’re important. Look at lecture and chapter titles in the outlines. They tend to be good indicators of key points. 3. Use Mnemonic Devices If you have to memorize something make an acronym. The better the acronym, the more likely you are to remember it. Make it funny, but not too offensive. 4. Don’t Study Alone Divide work among your friends and share study guides. Others can motivate you to study when you don’t feel like it. The downside, your friends can be distracting so make sure to pick your study group wisely.

5. Make Things Personal Own the material because you’re much more likely to remember something if it means something to you. Don’t rely on someone else to borrow a textbook, or find study notes. It’s about you, and only you. 6. Use Visuals Flash cards can be amazing study tools. Use colour, drawings and words to help you remember things. The more distinctive your visuals are, the more likely you are to remember them. 7. Reward Yourself If you’re following your study schedule, make time for a break. Rewards can give you something to work toward, but they also help break the work into more manageable portions. 8. Relax Worrying about the material won’t make it easier. If anything, it’ll just distract you. So forget about the consequences of your exam and just focus on the little goals. The night before the exam, get some sleep. At that point if you don’t know the material, the final night probably won’t make that much of a difference. t

RANDOM AWESOME by Jordan Twiss

Ladies, don’t wear a top that leaves your twin peaks totally exposed. While you might find it appealing, it’ll send the wrong message and make you look like a cheap hussy. Do not hit on your potential employer. This goes for the gentlemen as well. It just makes you look desperate, and is likely to make your interviewer feel more than a little uncomfortable. It’s a bad idea to arrive completely naked.

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It’s also probably a good idea to refrain from going commando, especially if you’re wearing a short skirt. And don’t wear a golf shirt, khaki shorts, or Crocs. This should be obvious, but I’ve seen it done. I mean, Crocs? Really people? Rest up, brush your teeth. What’s that, yesterday’s bacon wrapped scallop lodged in your teeth? Not cool. Don’t argue with the person interviewing you. If they say you’re late, you’re late.

Ask how much the position pays, but don’t be all, “hey man I’m looking to make some serious cash.” Be nice. Do shave the Movember moustache. This is advice for those who’ve kept it. There are some stragglers out there. The answer to “what are your weaknesses?” is not “I’m perfect.” You’re just going to look silly.

TRAVIS NEEDS YOU!

We’ve been looking for you, yes you, sitting there! We need your skills, your talent and your creative ability. If you’ve ever opened up an issue of this magazine and wanted to be a part of it, here is your chance. We’re looking for student illustrators, designers, writers, and photographers to help build our team for next year. If you think you have what it takes, email Josiah, or Burton with any questions you may have. Get in touch. Our people will talk to your people. Portfolio requirments: Illustrators, Designers & Photographers: Please submit a pdf of your 10 best images. Writers: Please submit three examples of your published or un-published work. Please send all submissions to: josiah.gordon1@sheridanc.on.ca All potential candidates will be contacted between the end of April and the end of May.